An unusual aorto-pulmonary communication secondary to syphilitic aortitis

With the advent of antibiotics syphilis and its complications appear to have been declining as an important cause of cardiovascular disease. We describe a patient with an unusual aorto-pulmonary communication secondary to syphilitic aortitis. The case illustrates the difficulty in defining the anatomy of this rare association preoperatively. The reason for the rarity of this manifestation is discussed and finally doubt is cast upon the assumption that cardiovascular syphilis is of only historical interest.